PALMER TOWNSHIP RECREATION BOARD

September 16, 2008

The regular monthly meeting of the Palmer Township Recreation Board was held on Tuesday, September 16, 2008 with all members in attendance except Worley & McBrairty. Also present was Supervisor Liaison Bob Smith and Public Services Director tom Adams. Chairperson Nielsen convened the meeting.

MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING – On motion by Young, seconded by Knox, and agreed by all, the minutes of the August meeting were approved as written.

PUBLIC COMMENT – Nielsen read a thank you from the Lehigh Valley Via for allowing the run/walk to be held on September 7^th. It was a huge success and would like to do it again next year.

TREASURER’S REPORT – Worley not present. Hold until next month.

REPORTS –

ADULT RECREATION – Knox reported that the township has received rosters, money and insurance certificates from a club that is using Mill Race field.

BASEBALL – Young reported that there is no commissioner yet. The president of the AA has to appoint one yet. He will be in contact with Bellis on this. This should be done soon since there are dates for certain things that have to be met. Young informed the Board that Senator Wonderling’s office contacted a Bob Florich stating that there is a grant for $5,000 available for baseball equipment. Florich did forward this information to the AA. This grant does not have to be limited to equipment; it could be for materials to work on fields, field equipment. Young was familiar with this grant so he will be filling this out and submitting it. It has to be submitted by the 19^th of September. Recreation Board has to come up with figures of what they want. Knox motioned that this grant be used for field maintenance equipment. Walker seconded the motion. After some discussion the Board agreed to hold this vote until later tonight.

MAINTENANCE – Knox noted soccer had their tournament and they raised money. They would like to purchase a flag pole and they would like to put in a carved stone in memory of John Wunderly and Gordon Evans who were coaches and passed away. This will be placed at Mill Race field. There is a location on the restroom area that a light could be placed to shine on to the flag. Bob Smith noted the flag pole recently purchased for the Palmer Complex was a 25 ft. pole – all inclusive - $1109.65. Board thought this was a good idea.

Smith noted they were working on the score board and there will be expenses. Nielsen asked if this was a shared expense with the AA. After some discussion it was determined that the money in the capital expenses will be used for this work.

WRESTLING – Webb reported that the new uniforms were in and sign up dates have been set. They have a list of names for coaches which will go to the AA for approval before coming to this Board. The budget shows that there is only $350 in the balance but there actually is $3350. This money was transferred from basketball. There is money in the budget and Webb asked if this money could be used for a tournament if all wrestlers were wearing Palmer singlets. It is a Palmer event and all kids can wrestle for Palmer. Board did not have a problem with this.

FOOTBALL – in the process.

SOCCER – in process.

DEVELOPMENT – Young reviewed the plan with the Board for Finelli Consulting stating this applicant wants to put an engineering office in an existing home at Rt. 248 and Lawnherst. Young motioned that this applicant pay recreation fees as there is no land for recreation available in this area. Motion was seconded by Walker and agreed by all.

CCCC – Knox reported that the director informed him that he had a personal issue and could not attend. Young stated he feels there are other employees at the center that could attend and feels the Manager should get in touch with the Recreation Board Chairperson and let him know what is going on. We are trying to keep in touch with each other and not having anyone in attendance is not helping. This needs to be straightened out.

Old Business –

Knox reported that he, Webb and Young met in regards to out of season sports. He noted he has worked with the Community Center and has run these out of season sports thru the Recreation Board and thru the Community Center. He noted this committee needs to talk to the community center director about this. If a sport is run through the center but not held on their site than there is a fee. It would be the same fee that the AA charges. These out-of-season sports would include spring soccer, fall baseball-softball; basketball and wrestling. Any additional money that was raised would be put towards the center. Board feels all recreation programs should be run through the center. We need to check to see if there is a fee for insurance even if this is being run through the center. Soccer did not need outside insurance since it is covered by their league. If a sport is held in the center it would be covered by their league. One cost would be t-shirts. Smith suggested there be a uniform designed for these out-of-season sports; a universal shirt so that it is recognized as the out-of-season sport. If it is run through the center than it should have the Chrin Community Center on it.

NEW BUSINESS –

Young informed the Board that there is a small group of township people that have met to review Palmer Community Days and one came up with the idea of Movies in the Park. This is being looked into. Board feels it’s a great idea. More info in the future.

Young informed the Board of a discussion that took place during the Easton Suburban Water Authority issue at the planning meeting last Tuesday. The applicant’s engineer asked if the requested bike path is in the original bike path plan. Walker asked isn’t this something that eventually develops during the planning process, not something that the township had made up years ago. How would you do that? The township gets a plan/development and they you realize this is where you would like a path. Young noted he saw Forks Township’s bike path plan for the complete township and it showed where they want it even if there is empty land. Their bike path is planned for the complete township before anything is developed in that area. Adams was present and this was discussed and he noted he had a plan for the north end of the township. Young would like this at the next meeting. Young also noted that in regards to the Villages at Wolf’s Run application this Board wanted the bike path in a certain area and when this plan went to the Board of Supervisors they agreed to have the construction roadway further to the south that was first recommended and when this construction was completed this roadway would be turned into the bike path. Young reviewed this plan with the Board noting that this bike path would now be looped around and connect together. Board agreed it was a good plan.

Board then went back to the grant issue that they discussed in the beginning of the meeting. Some members including Smith felt getting a Smithco would be the best thing to use the grant for as we need something for the Palmer complex fields. The gator is on its last legs. Smith will get quotes on used Smithcos. Walker stated he does not have a problem as long as we go thru all the requirements of the grant and fill out all forms. Nielsen called for a vote which was motioned and seconded earlier in the meeting. The vote was approved by all to use the grant money for field maintenance equipment.

Jim Schwab was in attendance and submitted a list of names that their baseball equipment has not been returned. This has to be straightened out since there needs to be addresses for the coaches so a letter can be sent out if the equipment is not returned. Knox felt this list of names of players should be distributed to commissioner of the next sport that is being played and if someone is on this list they will not be able to play the next game until the uniforms are returned.

Budgets –

Basketball – Smith heard we may be loosing space so the $3700 for security charges should stay in. This is something that area school districts have been starting.

LaCrosse – Knox questioned the referee fees. Feels this is very high. He will contact Doerner on this. Board then discussed that every sport should be using the same procedure for paying referee fees. There should never be a lump sum going to any commissioner. There should be individual checks written out to the individual coaches. This is the way it should be done. There is the paper trail that is needed. It was also stated that if the township wrote the checks each name would be on the treasurer’s report from the township for each sport.

Football – Smith stated that they had four cases of helmets were rejected for reconditioning this year so helmets are needed. Young felt the last few years there was no way football could have stayed in their submitted budget and that this is a more actual budget.

Baseball – Nielsen noted that baseball has tournaments in their proposed budget but softball did not. We paid for 2 softball tournaments this past season. Do we want to sponsor tournament teams again in 2009? Webb felt it was a good idea if we can come up with a way to choose the teams. They didn’t do it a good job of it this year. Walker feels the money should stay in the budget and the new baseball commissioner has to come before this Board with the idea on how to choose these tournament teams. Board feels it should be in softball also but the players should wear their hats from that year’s season and also they should all purchase gray pants to play in. Add $1,000 for this.

Nielsen noted that there is no money added in the baseball/softball budgets for Palmer Day. This was to be added for an amount of $1500. This money is to be used towards the food/drinks and rental of the machines for the speed pitch. Nielsen will check where it should be added when she meets with the manager Wednesday.

Smith noted that football has the playoffs at Palmer this year. Zeke Bellis asked if there is a way to get the bleachers over to the fields. Grube to check with the Parks Department but noted that they were not in favor of moving bleachers due to them twisting and bending. Young and Knox agreed that they were also aware that these bleachers, the newer ones, bend and twist very easy. Smith also informed the Board that this weekend between 3:00 – 3:30; half time of the varsity game, there will be a dedication in memory of Elwood Bloss. There will be a carved stone at the base of the flag pole. Everyone is invited.

Board feels the budgets are okay as submitted and Nielsen noted she will be meeting with the manager tomorrow.

Nielsen noted that the playground instructors have used all the left over materials from the past years and probably want new stuff for 2009

On motion by Knox, seconded by Webb, and agreed by all, the meeting was adjourned at 9:20 p.m.

Diane Grube, Corr. Sec.